I'd like to start working more with G on learning things. I know she learns just from watching me too.
However, I have no idea where to start or what is age appropriate for her. When did you start working on numbers, letters, sounds, etc? She's a great talker (says about 30+ works). She knows what up, down, in and out means. Just yesterday we were driving back from Sibley and G was watching Letter Factory. She was making the letters sounds with the movie (B says Buh, etc). That's kind of how this all started...after that I thought maybe I should be working with her more.
Sorry for my ramblings. I just want some direction and ideas to do a 15 minute 'lesson' with her each day. I've looked at productiveparenting and notimefor flashcards but there's not alot of 1yr old stuff. And it takes me forever to click through all the ideas. Are there any websites for daycare that show what they do each day for learning time?
Re: "lesson" plans
You are doing exactly what you should be
) Get her toys with letters, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. and just repeat what they are when you are playing with them. Start asking her what each thing is (I started pointing to colors on various things) and then correct her if she says it wrong. Finding songs to sing with her is also really beneficial. Also, a 15 minute lesson is too long for the attention span of a 5 year old, so it will definitely be too long for a 1 year old
) The rule of thumb is basically how old they are (so 1 year old=1 minute). I would stick to just a few minutes at a time and incorporate play with it.
Natalie loves it when I write letters on her travel Aquadoodle. I would write and say each letter and she would repeat them for me. We would also sing the ABC's all the time. She is really good with identifying letters now. We also counted out loud with her a lot. At this point in their life, it's really all about repetition. Don't worry if she doesn't catch on right away, either. Just keep at it and she will eventually figure it out!
This. I'm a full believer in letting a toddler be a toddler. I honestly think we push a lot of kiddos now and I don't think that helps their development.
Neena is nearly 18 months and doesn't have 30 words in her vocabulary, so I don't think you have much to worry about. :-) It seems like G is on the right track.
Neena Mae. 1/7/10
"A baby nursing at a mother's breast is an undeniable affirmation of our rootedness in nature." - David Suzuki
Yep, at 18 months Gretta said dada, ball and woof. Nothing else, not even mama. She nows talks as much, if not more, than any kid her age. I read to her and take her places, but we really don't do that much in terms of formal learning. She has the rest of her life for that. It is good of you to be on top of it, and I know how you might feel since little G doesn't go to a structured center for learning, but it sounds like she is doing awesome!
Neena and I do lots of art activities and outdoor play. IWe also do a lot of pretend/imaginary play. For instance we'll pretend we're camping in our living room and I'll make up stories about being in the forest and I get really descriptive or we "cook" elaborate meals in her mud kitchen. I get most of my ideas from blogs and pinterest (LOVE it!). We also make sure to hit up our playgroup every Friday. Heck, toddlers are learning when you take the to the store or when they are with you in the kitchen. They are little sponges so every moment, no matter how mundane, can be a learning moment. :-)
I'm amazed at how many words G already says! I tried counting Neena's up last night and I think she's at ~15ish, which is competely normal for her age. So G is rockin' it! Keep up the good work, mama!
Neena Mae. 1/7/10
"A baby nursing at a mother's breast is an undeniable affirmation of our rootedness in nature." - David Suzuki